f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013

River Lime
It’s a
Trini Thing
by Cherisse Moe
Make your way to the twin-island
state of Trinidad and Tobago and
you embark on an adventure of a
lifetime. There you will encounter a
smorgasbord of experiences that
run the gamut from friendly natives,
scenic flora and fauna, mouth watering
cuisine and of course, linguistics that
are purely “Trini.” You will inevitably
be invited enthusiastically to go for a
“lime” but this is not to be confused
with the tangy fruit you are acquainted
with—what this means is that you are
in for a real good time.
Intrinsic in the Trini culture, liming
is a Trinidadian slang, which simply
means to enjoy in the company of
good friends and family. According to
aboutlanguageschools.com, (a Web
site dedicated to indigenous slang)
liming is, “A party or any get together,
to hang-out, or (more recently) to date
someone.” There are many facets
to liming; one could spend the time
discussing various topics of interest,
dancing to calypso, soca, pop etc. For a
Trini, anywhere a can become a liming spot—from clubs to beaches
to bars to the backyard of a house, the venue is not as important as
the company (and the food of course!).
A Trini river lime ranks high among the most enjoyable kinds
of entertainment on the island and is sure to get your adrenaline
pumping. What can be better than the feeling you get from kicking
back and relaxing with family and friends, satisfying the palate
with some good “Trini” food, while witnessing nature at its best A
phenomenon, rooted deeply in the heart of the Trinidadian culture
and particularly common in the East Indian community, river limes
are a popular family affair, an all day event that evokes much
laughter, “ole” talk and togetherness.
Cooking the meal on the banks of the river is an ongoing
tradition. Some river limers make a fireside, which is akin to an
outdoor stove. Using natural materials, such as wood or bamboo,
a fire is lit and the food is sizzled until perfection. Curried duck,
corn soup, oil down, barbequed meats, pelau, geera chicken and
pork are common local dishes for the occasion. A cooler filled with
both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including ice-cold
Carib and Stag Beers are essentials too. Fun leisure activities, like
the popular card game, All Fours, are a favourite among river-lime
enthusiasts. Throw some good music in the mix and a day by the
river is the ultimate “Trini” lime.
The highly anticipated lime usually begins in the early morning
and goes until the late evening. The more adventurous river
limer, however, can lime well into the night, savouring all the
experiences a true “Trini” river lime has to offer, until the very last
drop. Deadlines and the growing stack of paper work at the office
are placed on the back burner...at least until Monday morning
rolls around again. Public holidays are popular days for river limes
too, as scores of local river limers and tourists alike, flock to their
favourite river for a day of fun in the sun.
What makes this experience even more amazing is the fact
that most rivers in Trinidad are fairly untouched by the hands of
industrialisation, making them a sight to see indeed. Some of the
more popular rivers include, Caura, Maracas, Lopinot, Valencia,
Guanapo, Matura, Grand Rivière, Matelot and Indian Bay in Mayaro.
While proper facilities are sadly lacking at some of these locations,
others are river-lime friendly and allow limers the opportunity to
thoroughly enjoy the experience. One such river is the one located
at Lopinot, which boasts a wide-open grassy area with stands of
bamboo and metal huts, as well as bamboo stools. This spot is
ideal for children, the elderly and those who cannot swim, as the
river is not as deep. Meanwhile, at Caura, several ajoupas, (shelters
with thatched roofs) have been built on the riverbank.
For those wanting to bond with nature, the serenity of the
crystal-clear waters rolling gently along a canopy of bamboo can
leave one in awe. The melodious sounds of a variety of birds
chirping in a collective voice also set the tone for a day of pure
enjoyment. Those desiring a more upbeat atmosphere can turn
the tempo up a notch or two with some good Trini music, usually
chutney or soca. One may witness limers moving their hips to the
sounds of the music; this is called “wining” and is a signature Trini
dance.
Truly a national pastime, river limes are so popular, that even
corporate events and parties are held at the river. Those who have
had the opportunity to visit the many rivers that adorn the island
know that nothing quite hits the spot like a good “Trini” river lime.
For those of who have not, be sure to put it on your to-do list. Oh!
Depending on the time of day, sun block is required, for long after
the lime is over you will still be sporting your sun-kissed Caribbean
tan!
Illustration by Keith Anderson
The Ins & Outs o f Trinidad and Tobago
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